Malawian Pastor disowns son for receiving medication

A Malawian pastor whose Free Apostolic Church does not believe in medication but prayers only for any healing, has disowned his son after police on Thursday, took him to Mikoke mission hospital in central region district of Ntcheu.

Ntcheu police assistant public relations officer Laston Chapansi confirmed in an interview with Nyasa Times that Pastor Edward Skeva disowned his 10 year old son, who has a deep wound on his ankle, but did not receive any medical attention only prayers for the past four months.

“The Pastor and his wife did not go to the hospital after declaring that they have disowned him. Currently, a field worker for Catholic health commission Miss Maria Mwadzaangati is the guardian at Mikoke hospital,” police said.

According to Chapansi, the boy missed his end of term examinations that could enable him go to standard five, hence he has not attended classes for the past four months.

Traditional leaders, health surveillance assistants and other community leaders were earlier chased, as they tried to reason with the parents that prayers alone proved futile without medical support.

Police then intervened on Thursday, and still managed to take him to hospital amid resistance that led to the pastor declaring that he has disowned the ten year old son.

Mikoke hospital in-charge Reverend sister Esther Namahela said the medical personnel is trying everything possible to ensure that the wound is treated.

Members of the Free Apostolic Church faith believe in divine healing for all forms of sickness and disease. This message is repeatedly preached to the church’s members, with church elders encouraging congregations to obey this message throughout their lives.

Worshippers are told to rely on ‘prayers from church elders to cure illness and disease.